The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-23


Western city. A delegation was dis
patched to treat with him. He had
graciously consented to consider the
matter, and the whole situation was as
encouraging as it well could be. He
was to preach for them on trial the
first Sunday in December, and on the
Saturday evening previous Deacon
Gilsey and his wife were returning
from a days shopping in Chicago.
Just as the cars were starting, Mr..
Ames. another pillar in the church,
hurried in. and seeing Mr.. and Mrs.
Gilkey dropped into the seat behind
them, the other half of which was oc-
cupied by strange gentleman In a
fur-trimmed overcoat and sealskin
cap.
''Getting chilly" remarked Mr.. Ames
to Mr.. Gilkey, as an introduction to
conversation, meanwhile buttoning up
his overcoat. The remark recalled the
fact to Mr.. Gilkey, and he buttoned up
his coat and replied:
Eyes; looks little like storm"
Shouldn't wonder" said Mr.. Ames.
They've had five inches of snow up
north"
sis that so? They have pretty tough
winters up there, "and Mr.. Gilkey gave
his cOat-collar another jerk.
Suppose you'll be out to church to-
morrow" said Mr. Ames.
''Yes, 1 presume So" assented Mr..
Gilkey. and Mrs. Gilkey said, Eyes,
certainly" with a glance at the band
box at her feet, which suggested the
idea that Chicago milliner had made
assurance doubly sure" in her case.
But, of course, suggested no such
thought to Mr.. Ames, who observed:
81 guess people will turn out pretty
generally to hear our new man."
They ought to-, said Mr.. Gilkey,
''for he seems to be about our last
chance. and l say we'd better take him
if he suits any kind of way"
1--WE might as well shut up the church
if we don't get some one before long"
said Mr.. Ames, gloomily. There was
not bakers dozen out last Sunday,
and the Halls and McAllisters have
given up their pews. Hall says he
won't pay pew-rent for the sort of
preaching we've had lately"
at needn't make any difference to
him what kind of preaching we have;
he's never there" remarked Mrs.
Gilkey, severely.
'What does DR.. Williams have to say
about this Mr.. Grant that's going to
preach tomorrow" inquired Mr..
Gilkey.
"He won't take any stand at ALL"
said Mr.. Ames, ''says it's none of his
funeral who they get. He's put out
because they wouldn't call that Mr..
OGin; but we never could have made
that thing work"
"He preached good sermons" said
Mr.. Gilkey, refectively.
''He talked through his nose," said
Mrs. Gilkey, conclusively.
''Then the Whites" said Mr.. Ames.
They want that Eastern man, with the
Ong hair. He's a sort of cousin to
White wife. The West End are all
united on that man from Washington.
And DR.. GlOver's got man down
south that he's trying to run in this
ong time" Mfr. Ames paused for
breath, and Mrs. Gilkey took up the
burden of his complaint. 80
Yes" she said, land the Georges
'ay they won't vote for anybody but
hat Mr.. Paine, from Ohio. He stayed |
With them while he was here, and they |
ay he is just as agreeable and enter
aiming as can be. You'd never sus-
Dect he was minister"
AT this stage, Mr.. Ames, happening
o look up suddenly, surprised an
unused smile on the face of the strang-
II who shared his seat.
Il beg your pardon" said that gen.
leman in answer to Mr.. Ames' stare,
Il could not help overhearing your
No harm DONE" returned Mr.
Ames. affably. Were pretty much
in getting the right sort of
nan for our church. We know what
,eeps the thing going, you see" He
attled, signitic antly, some coins in his
rocket, and the stranger intimated that
lie saw.
Isn't it the general opinion that
we're paying too steep price for our
'reaching!' inquired Mr.. Gilkey.
altogether, said Mr.. Ames, emphat-
cally, land 1 say we've just got to
Irop off five hundred dollars on our
lext man. Why, when, was boy,
minister didn't get over four or five
hundred dollars year; and they man.
ged to live on it somehow. They
idn't throw their money around on all
orts of eXtravagances, I'll be bound"
''PeOple say We have these things
urselves." began MIR. Gilkey, mildly.
Il don care if we dor retorted Mr..
Ames. 81 earn my money, and l know
There it comes from"
Mr.. Ames had, by this time, worked
imself into quite vehement state of
hind. He ostensibly addressed Mr..
iilkcy. but it is not strange that the
that the stranger was an
ltereSted listener caused him to elab-
rate his argument with the distinct
ess and precision of one who feels
hat ne is making good point. He
ow glanced for approval of his senti-
lent" from MIR. Gilkey TO the stranger,
nd the latter seemed encouraged to
enture remark.
What particular style of man do